Background and Objectives. In the area of dentistry, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), particularly neck discomfort, are significant occupational health hazards. The purpose of this study was to ascertain how neck pain affected the capacity and productivity of dental practices. Additionally, it examined the advantages of preventive measures in lessening pain intensity and rated the degree of dentists’ incapacity. Subjects and Methods. This study used a cross-sectional survey design to examine how neck pain affected dentists’ ability to work and their productivity between July 2022 and November 2022. The study included 342 dentists from all around Lebanon. An online validated survey was designed, and the data collection process was performed via direct calls and emails where the survey link was shared. Data included demographic characteristics, gender, type, and duration of the dental practice, which were presented by the toll of hours of work per week, general health status, exercise habits, and Neck Disability Index (NDI). The weight of the participants was not included in the study. The statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 25. Results. The majority of participants were between the ages of 25 and 35, and the gender distribution of the demographic distribution was comparable. The prevalence of pain was 86.8% (97/342 dentists). NDI analysis showed that 65.7% had mild disability, 12.8% have a moderate disability, and 1% had severe disability. Bivariate analysis showed that pain was affected by age ( p = 0.013 ), orthodontist practices ( p = 0.031 ), regular exercise ( p < 0.001 ), using vibrating instruments ( p < 0.001 ), cervical flexion for better vision while working ( p < 0.001 ), knowledge, and experience about ergonomic posture ( p < 0.005 ). Multivariate analysis showed four predictors for pain: age ( p = 0.017 ), performing stretching exercises after finishing clinical practice ( p = 0.022 ), orthodontist specialty ( p = 0.029 ), and performing cervical flexion for better vision while working ( p = 0.004 ). Conclusion. This study showed that through the application of some strategies such as stretching, exercising, and being careful in using vibrating instruments, the dentist may be able to relieve the pain.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), notably neck pain, are important occupational health issues in the field of dentistry. Many studies were done worldwide to gather data about neck and back pain. They used different characteristics and risk factors. Other studies aimed to determine only the prevalence of neck and back problems among dentists. We aim to review the literature for research about the optimal factors to be assessed and the proper measures to be installed by dentists to prevent cervical pain and to be taught and shared with dental students. Such an aim requires a thorough review of the current condition. This is a brief review of the literature to shed light on the latest news on this topic. Research using keywords such as dentistry, neck pain, neck pain index, occupational pain, and dental specialties were used to skim the literature for related topics. Publications are considered based on their relevance to the topic. Topics related to other professions and pain induced by illnesses other than occupational factors are not included. The final conclusion shows that no final results were conducted regarding the optimal characteristics that the dentists should be using. Therefore, we recommend a study with an aim to determine the optimal factors to be used by dentists to prevent cervical pain and to be taught to dental students.

BackgroundEarly epidural steroid injections are currently widely used for patients experiencing lumbago. However, there is uncertainty about their efficacy, such as the limitation of continuous drug infusion and the need for well-trained physicians on this technique. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of early epidural steroid injections in treating patients with acute sciatica in the lower back in terms of symptom relief and recurrence rate. MethodsA case series was conducted in Lebanon from 2015 to 2019. We recruited 98 patients suffering from sciatica due to disc disease over three-time intervals: two weeks, one, and three months. The immediate results accounted for the intensity of various symptoms (numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain) and the assessment of patient satisfaction (Macnab criteria). ResultsThe clinical results showed at least a three-point pain relief according to Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and a good grade according to MacNab (P <0.001), with only 10.4% of the total population having a positive leg raise test post-injection. The maximum benefit was noted after two weeks from the injection with a 5.7 mean change in NRS (p<0.001) with a good/excellent response in MacNab and a 4.9 change with only a good response after one month. This study noticed a rebound phenomenon where around half of the patients needed two steroid injections after three months (39.6 % after three months and 17.9 % after six months). ConclusionEven though current guidelines worldwide may suggest the use of conservative treatment for low back pain with acute sciatica, our study has demonstrated the effectiveness of epidural steroid injections in the Lebanese population with a significant outcome.

Concurrently with the quick development of COVID-19 vaccines globally, concerns about vaccination efficacy and safety are rising. Neurological complications such as transverse myelitis (TM) are major worries because they can cause lifelong disabilities, which may require long term care. Here, we report a case of longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis (LETM), with sixth nerve palsy in a young female occurring shortly after ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine. The patient recalled developing strabismus, progressive ascending bilateral lower limb weakness, along with upper extremity paresthesia, abnormal sensation below T6 dermatomes, and difficulty in urination. She presented to the hospital with complete paralysis below the neck associated with urinary retention. Extensive diagnostic studies were performed to rule out alternative etiologies, including but not limited to demyelinating diseases, para-post infectious agents, paraneoplastic syndromes, tumors, and autoimmune diseases. She was treated with corticosteroids and discharged upon clinical improvement. However, the patient clinically deteriorated and intravenous immunoglobulin was administered. Unfortunately, the patient is still suffering from physical impairment. We suggested that LETM could be induced by an autoimmune process triggered molecule mimicry. In conclusion, safety monitoring of the COVID-19 vaccines is of great importance in the post marketing surveillance, particularly for rare adverse events.

No abstract